Occurred on September 23, 2019 / Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Info from Licensor: "One of the most intense thunder/lightning storms that Phoenix has seen in many years rolled over my home in Phoenix yesterday. Upon returning from work and walking to my apartment I was blinded by a flash and almost knocked over by what can only be described as a sound akin to a massive explosion. I quickly whiffed smoke and noticed neighbors exiting their respective apartments heading toward the area. I realized that lightning had stricken the palm tree that sits 15' from my balcony. The fire engulfed the tree entirely from top to bottom and from its core on outwards. Firefighters subdued the flames with a water/soap/foam mix."